Your Achilles tendon is the prominent cord that can be seen and felt directly at the back of your ankle, between your heel and calf. Injuries to the Achilles tendon can occur from overuse, or through sports-related activities. Treatment can range from taping the area for a strain or sprain, to surgery if the tendon has been ruptured. Taping the Achilles tendon properly takes some practice, and can give it support and prevent it from stretching too far, says the Sports Injury Clinic website.
Step 1
Prepare the area by shaving your leg, or applying an adhesive spray and underwrap tape.
Step 2
Wrap the stretch tape in two "anchors" around the calf, just above the bulk of the muscle, and two "anchors" around the middle area of the foot.
Step 3
Apply one strip of stretch tape down from the top anchor to the bottom anchor. Stretch the tape a little, and don't let it stick to the Achilles tendon.
Step 4
Start a piece of stretch tape on the outside of the calf anchor, then run it down and across the calf to the inside of your heel. Continue under the heel to the outside of the ankle. Bring the strip of tape up across the calf again, finishing at the inside calf anchor.
Step 5
Place a piece of zinc oxide tape across the top and bottom anchors, to secure the loose ends. Avoid wrapping the tape all the way around the ankle or leg, because it won't stretch. Apply a third strip just above the ankle if you think it is necessary.
Things You'll Need
- Adhesive spray
- Underwrap tape
- 5-cm-wide stretch adhesive tape
- 3-cm-wide nonstretch zinc oxide tape
